ACE SHEARER Grant Hurcomb is preparing for the challenge of a lifetime, having committed to shearing sheep for no less than 50 hours in Stranraer this July, to raise cash for Cancer Research UK and MND Scotland.

Such a marathon has never been attempted before and is a massive challenge to take on – but Grant is up for the task, having already taken on a 24 hour shear back in 2015, when he raised over £21,000 for charity! That event was a great success with a lot of local support, with 600 folk coming along to watch – although not necessarily all at once, or for the full duration.

This year Grant is hoping for a similar outcome, and over the 50 hours he will be busy shearing, at High Balyett farm, Stranraer, there will also be kids activities during the day, live bands playing, food, stalls, a bar – and undoubtedly a great atmosphere. This year's event starts at 7pm on July 6, at High Balyett, DG9 8QP. The shearing is due to finish at 9pm on July 8, whereupon there will be a dance for those that still have the energy for it.